System for predirecting torpedoes



A. D. 'TRENOR.

SYSTEM FOR PREDIRECTING TORP EDOES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 27. 1918- RENEWED MAY 23.1920.

1,40 7, Patnted Feb. 28,1922. Z 2: SHEETSSHEET I- JNVENTOR 7/15 ATTORNEYA. D. TRENOR.

SYSTEM FOR PREDIBECTING TORPEDOES.

, APPLICATION HLED FEB-27.19l8- RENEWED MAY 23.1920.

1 ,408,147, Patented Feb. 28, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- TNESS INVENTOR WI H/ ATTORNEY UNITED STATES ALBERT D.TRENOB, NEW YORK, N. Y.,

ASSIGNOR 'ro JQHN HAYS HAMMOND, at,

GE GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

SYSTEM FOR PREDIRECTING TORPEDOES;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 25, 1922;

Application filed February 27, 1918, Serial No. 219,435. Renewed May 23,1921. Serial No. 471,971.

To all whom it ma concern:

Be 1t known that I, ALBERT D. TRENOR, a

citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, inthe county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Systems for Predirecting Torpedoes of whichthe following is a specification. I

Some of the objects of this invention are to provide in a system forpredirecting torpedoes improved means for predirecting a torpedo at amoving target in such a manner that the speed and direction of movementof the target and the normal speed of the torpedo may be includedautomatically as factors in predirecting the torpedo in response to themovement of the telescope or other sighting or aiming device; and toprovide other improvements as will appear hereinafter. I

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevationpartly in vertical section of a system constructed in accordance withthis invention for prcdirecting torpedoes; Fig.2 is a top plan view of aportion of the same; and Fig. 3 is a diagram explanatory of theoperation of the system. i

Refering to the drawings, one embodiment of this invent-ion comprises asystem for predirecting torpedoes,which is shown as arranged upon atorpedo boat 9 or other basal support to predirect the automaticsteering mechanism 10 of a torpedo 15 while the torpedo is in aninitialposition in a torpedo tube 16 which is carried by andfixed withrespect to the torpedo boat 9. In the form of this invention shown inthe drawings the torpedo tube 16 is so arranged that its longitudinalaxis is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thetorpedo boat 9, but it is to be understood that the torpedo tube mightbe arranged in any other suitable position; with a corresponding initialadjustment of the automatic steering mechanism 10 of the torpedo 15.This improved system includes a sighting or aiming unit 20, anauxiliarymechanism and a stabilizing device 30. The sighting unit 20 isoperatively connected to the automatic steering mechanism 10 of thetorpedo 15 through the auxiliary mechanism 25, and the stabilizingdevice is arranged to be rendered effective, when'desired, to compensatefor the rolar thereto.

tary movement of the torpedo boat 9 about a vertical axis while thepredirecting system is under the control of the telescope L0, as, willappear hereinafter.

The sighting unit 20 includes a normally vertical shaft which isarranged to rotate about an axis coincident with its longitudinal axisand fixed with respect to the torpedo boat 9 or other basal support uponwhich the shaft is mounted, the lower portion of the shaft 35 beingrotatably supported for instance in a fixed bearing 36 and being heldagainst longitudinal movement therein. Pivotally connected to the upperend of the shaft 35 to swing in respect thereto about a normallyhorizontal axis is a telescope or other sighting instrument 40 whichisarranged in such a position upon the boat or other support that itisapproximately in vertical alinement with the torpedo tube 16, and thatit may be conveniently directed towards an enemy vessel or other targettowards which it is desired to predirect the torpedo 15. Rigid with theshaft 35 is a pointer 41 which cooperates with a dial 42 which surroundsand is coaxial with the shaft 35' and which is rigidly secured to aplatform or base 43 which is fixed with respect to the torpedo boat 9.

The auxiliary mechanism 25 includes a rigid frame comprising a'flat,rigid base plate -il5 which is arranged in any convenient position uponthe torpedo boat 9., The base plate 4-5 is bounded upon one sideby astraight edge 46 and upon its other side by a curved edge 4-7 which iscircular in form and concentric with a point 48 which is upon the baseand is spaced a slight distance from the straight edge L6. The baseplate, 45 is provided along its curved edge 4'? with a rim or wall 4-2)integral with or rigidly secured to the base plate a5 and perpendicu-This rim 49 is provided"upon its inner surface and along its upper edgewith a segmental marginal rib 5O whichis'.

integral with the rim or rigidly secured thereto and arranged in a planeparallel to the base plate to for apurpose hereinafter i described, theupper edge of the rib 50 being flush withthe upper portion of the edgeor the rim Spaced above the rib 50 and arranged in a plane parallel tothe base plate 45 are two rigid parallel tracks and 56 which areterminally secured to the rim d9 by which the tracks are held in fixedpositions. The track is provided with graduations 57 corresponding tovarious rates of speed of the target as measured in knots.

Carried by the base 45 and forming a part of the auxiliary mechanism 25is a primary transmission device 60 including a flat, rigid supportingplate 61 which is arranged in a plane parallel to but spaced abovethebase-plate45, but below the plane of the rib 50 which is held in a fixedpositionrwithrespect to the base 45 by means 0t two rigid brackets 62and 63 secured to and projecting upwardly from the base 45.: tendingsnugly but rotatably through the supporting plate 61 is a normallyvertical shaft 65 which projects. above andi below the.

plate 61 and which is held against movement longitudinally with respectthereto. Th s shaft 65 is arranged to rotate about an axis 6 coincidentwith, its longitudinali axis. and

which is, perpendicular to thezbase 45 and coaxial with the rim 4-7.Rigidly secured to theupperend 015, this shaft 65is a primary arm orelement 66 which extends in a plane parallel to the base 45 and whichincludes to cooperate with a dial 69 provided with the outer endiot' thearm 66 to move in a predetermined path. The inner end; ot the arm 66 isprovided; with a pointer 68' rigid-therewith and arranged inlongitudinal alinemerit therewith, andthis pointeris arranged;

marginal graduations, which loosely surrounds the shaft 65 and isrigidly secured to theupper surface ofithe fixed plate 61. Beneath theplate 61 and surrounding the ve ical shaft 65 is agear 7 0 which is heldagainst movement longitudinally of the shaft 65, but which is free torotate with respect theretoa Depending from this gear 7O 'and; rigidtherewith is a lug 71 which carries-abeveled pinion 72 whichis arrangedto rotate freely with respect to the lug 71 about an axis fixed withrespect thereto and extending perpendiculanto and; intersecting the axisof rotation of the vertical shaft 65. This pinion 72 engages acorresponding beveled gear 73, which isfixed upon the lower end; oftheshaft. 65, and also engages a beveledgear 74 which is fixed upon theupper end of a shaft 75 which is arranged in longitudinah alinement withthe shaft 65 and which is supported in a. bearing provided therefor inthe base to rotate with. respect to the base 45 and to be held againstlongitudinal movement with respect thereto Spaced slightly above thebase 45 and surrounding and rigidly secured to the shaft 75 is a dial 76which is provided with marginal graduations 7 7 which are arranged tocooperate with corresponding;-

fixed graduations '78 upon the base 45 to including a return wire 87arranged to be energized by a battery 88 and controlled by a switch 89.The transmission device 1s fixed in positlon and is actuated by a pinion90' which is actuatedby a gear 91 whlchsurrounds and 1s rigid; with theshaft 35 carrying the telescope 40. i

The auxiliary mechanism 25 also includes a secondary transmission device95 which comprises a rigid; rectangular casing 96 which is carried bytwo pairs of sliders 97 97 and 98, 98 which are rigidi therewith andwhich are slidably mounted upon the two tracks 55 and 56respectivelyinsuch a manner as to restrain the casing 96 to move in a predeterminedpath parallel to the base 45 and spaced above the segmental ribl50. Thecasing 96 includes a top plate 100 and a bottom plate 101 which arearranged: in: planes parallel to the base 45. Extending snugly but,rotatably-through the bottom plate 101 is a vertical shaft 105 which isheld against longitudinal movement with respect to the bottom plate 101.Arranged below thebottom plate 101 and rigidly secured to the lower endof theshaft 105 is a secondary arm or element which extends in adirection parallel to the base 45 and which is spaced. slightly aboveand normally crosses the arm 6601f thetprimary transmission, de-

vice 60. This arm is provided with a series a surrounding the shaft 105is a gear which has rigidly secured theretotand procarries a beveledpinion 117 which is arranged to rotate about an axis fixed with respectto the lug 116 and intersecting and perpendicular to the axis ofrotation of the vertical shaft 105. This pinion 117 engages a beveledgear 118 which is rigidly secured to the upper end of the shaft 105 andalso engages a beveled gear 119 which is rigidly secured to the lowerend of a vertical shaft 120 which is in longitudinal alinement with theshaft 105 and which projects snugly but rotatably through the topplate100. Rigidly e cting upwardly therefroma lug 116 which secured tothe upper end of this shaft 120 is a pointer 121 which is arranged tocooperate with a series of graduations 122 provided therefor upon a dial128 loosely surrounding the shaft 120 and which is rigidly secured tothe upper end of this stem 125 is a pointer 126 which is arranged tocooperate with a series of marginal graduations 127 provided therefor onthe dial 123. Surrounding and rigidly secured to the shaft 120 is a gear140 which engages a pinion 141 which actuates an electrical motiontransmission device 142. The transmission device 142 is electricallyconnected to a corresponding electrical repeating device 143 by means ofa four-wire cable'144 including a return wire 145 energized by a battery146 and controlled by a normally closed switch 147. The'repeating device148 actuates a pinion 1.48 which actuates a gear 149 through which theautomatic steering mechanism 10 of the torpedo 15 may be adjusted so asto predirect the torpedo 10 in any desired direction.

For operatively connecting the two arms 66 and 110, the arm 110 isprovided with a sleeve 150 which is slidably adjustable longitudinallyofthe arm 110 and which may be held fixedly in any desired position ofadjustment by means of a set-screw 151 which is threaded through thesleeve 150 and which engages against the arm 110. Rigidly secured tothis sleeve 150 and depending downwardly therefrom is a pivot 152 whichengages snugly but rotatab'ly in an opening provided therefor in theupper wall of a hollow rectangular carrier 155 which is mounted upon twopairs of rollers 156, 156 and 157 157 which are arranged to rotaterespectively about vertical axes fixed withrespect to the carrier 155and which engage opposite sides of the arm 66 to permit the carrier 155to be moved freely longitudinally of the arm 66 and in a predeterminedpath. with respect to the arm. The pivot 152 is so arranged that itslongitudinal axis is vertical and extends at all times through a linewhich extends longitudinally and centrally of the arm 66. By thisarrangement when the sleeve 150 is fixed in any desired position ofadjustment upon the arm 110, the

arm 66 may be rotated iueither direction about the longitudinal axis ofthe shaft 65 with a minimum of resistance on the part of the carriagefilo compensate for any rotary movement of the torpedo boat about avertical axis, after the parts of the predetermined system have beeninitially adjusted and while the parts of the system are under thecontrol of the telescope 40, the two gears and 115 are arranged to besimultaneously controlled by the stabilizing device 30. The stabilizingdevice 30 includes a gyroscope 180 of any well known suitableconstruction provided with a shaft 181' arranged to be held by thegyroscope against rotation in space about a normally vertical axis fixedwith respect to the torpedo boat. A gear 182 is fixed to the shaft 181and actuates a pinion 183 which con-, trols an electrical motiontransmission device 185 which is connected by means of a four-wire cable186 and branch four-wire cable 187 to the two repeating devices 17 5 and176. The four-wire cable 186 includes a return wire 187 which isenergized by a battery 188 and which is controlled by a switch 189. Therepeating device 175 rotates a shaft 195 which projects snugly butrotatably through the plate 61 and which has secured to its upper end apointer 196 which cooperates with a graduated dial 197 looselysurrounding the shaft 195- and fixedly secured to the upper surface ofthe plate 61. A pinion is rigidly secured to the shaft 195 and engagesthe gear 70. The repeating device 176 actuates a shaft 198 whichprojects snugly but rotatably through the plate 100 and which hassecured to its upper end a pointer 200 which cooperates with a graduateddial 201 which loosely surrounds the shaft 198 and which is fixedlysecured to the upper surface of the plate 100. A pinion 205 is rigidlysecured to the lower end of the shaft 198 and engages the gear 115. Thearrangement is such that when the switch 189 is closed the transmissiondevice 185 under the control of the gyroscope 180 acts upon therepeating devices 175 and 176 to hold the corresponding gears 70 and 115against rotation in space as long as the torpedo boat 9 moveson astraight course.

When the torpedo boat 9 is diverted from a given course througha givenangle in either direction, the gyroscope 180 acts through the gear 70 torotate the arm 66 with respect to the torpedo boat 9 through an equalangle and in the same direction If the target were stationary and thetele-. scope 40 were kept pointed upon the target during this rotationof the torpedo boat, the telescope 40 would act through the repeaterv torotate the arm 66 with respect to the torpedo boat 9 in an oppositedirection and through an equal angle. The combined result would be thatif the target remained stationary the arm 66 would remain in a fixedposition with respect to the torpedo boat 9, but assuming that thetarget is mov-- ing in a given direction at'a given rate of speed ashereinbefore described and as shown in Fig. 3. andtha't the telescope40is kept aimed upon the target during the rotation repeater176 to causethe gear 140 to rotate through an equal angle and in the same directionand this gear 140 acting through the transmitter 142 would rotate thegear 149 ina correspondingdirection to readjust the steering mechanism 10 in the torpedo 15insuch a manner as to compensate forthe-rotation ofthe torpedo boat 9. But as v the target is. moving as hereinbeforedescribed, the arm 110 will be consequently rotated as a result of therotation of the arm and this rotation of the arm 110 will be imposedupon the gear 140 in addition to the rotationof the gear 140-caused bythe action of the gyroscope 180, this added rotationo'f the gear1:40-being transmitted by thetransmitter 142 to the repeater 143 toreadjust the steering mechanism 10 in such a manner as to compensate forthe movements of: the target. nism 16 will therefore be adjusted in sucha manner as to compensate for any rotary movement ofthe torpedo boat 9and also to compensate for any movement of the target at a known rate ina known direction, and so as to predirect the torpedo 15 in such amanner that if the torpedo should now be launched it would travel at agiven rate along such a line that when the target reached the point ofintersection of the line of-travel of the target and the line of'travelof the torpedo, the target would be struck by the torpedo. 7 s

In the operation of this improved system when it is desired topredirectthe torpedo 15 in-such a manner as to strike a target 235 located at aknownpoint 236 and moving along a known lineof direction 237 at a knownrate, the switch 147 is opened, and the gear 149 which controls thesteering mechanism 10 of the torpedo is set in a zero position which inthis case would cause the torpedo to move in a course perpendiculartothe longitudinal axis of the torpedo boat 9; The arm 110 is then setperpendicular to the line joining the axes of oscillation of thetwo arms66 and 110, as indicated by the pointer 126 on the graduation's- 127',the pointer 126 and the zero mark on the dial 127 being so arranged thatwhen the arm 1110 is thus set the pointer 126 will register with thezero mark of the dial 127. The gear 115 is then rotated into a zeroposition as indicated by the pointer 200 on The steering mechathe diet201- whieh may be any positionaoff' the gear llfirlepending upon anarbitrary arrangement of the pointer 200 and thedial 201. The gear 140will then be me. given position and the pointer 121 and the diah 123 areso arranged that when the gear140: is in the given position the pointer121 will register with the zero mark of the dial 123g The switch 147 isthen closed. The tele scope 40 is then pointed in a directioniperpendicular to the longitudinal: axis of the torpedo boat 9, asindicated by the pointer 41 on the scale 42, the pointer 41 and scale v42- being so arranged that when, the telescope is'thus pointed thepointer kl-will register with the zero mark ot the scale The arm (56' isthen moved to a position perpendicular to the line joining the axes-- ofoscillation of the two arms 66 and: 110, as indicated by the pointer- 68on the scale-- 69, the pointer 68 and the seale69 being so arranged thatwhen the arm 66 is thus ad justed the pointer 68 will register w-ith thezero mark on the scale-69. The gear 70 is rotated into an arbitrary zeroposition, as shown by the pointerv 196 on the dial 197 and the gear79will then be ina given posi tion and the zero mark of the graduations'77 of the dial 7 6 will then register with a fixed pointer T8, the dials197 and 76 being suitably graduated and arranged to permit" oi such anadjustment. The switch 89 is then closed, thus rendering the telescope40', operative to control the predirecting system.

The two pointers 196 and 200 are each then rotated in the same directionfrom their zero points through the same angle 238-- which the line ofdirection 237 ofthe target- 235 makes with the longitudinal axis-239 ofthe torpedo boat 9,tlie direction of rotation of the pointers 190 and200 depending upon the direction of the course of" the target withrespect-tothe longitudinah axis of the torpedo boat. The arrangementis'suchthat a rotation of the pointer 196 in a clockwise directionthrough any given angle will cause arotation oithe corresponding gear 70in a counter-clockwise direction and through but half of the givenangle, and a rotation; of the pointer 200 through a given angle in aclockwise direction will cause a rotation of the corresponding gear 115in a counterclockwise direction and through but half of the given angle.The switch 189 which has been left open up to this'time is now closed.

The sleeve 150 is now moved lon 'itudinall known speed of the target235.

screw The box 96 containing the secondary transmission system 95 is thenmoved along the two tracks and 56 until the distance 245 between theaxes of oscillation of the two arms ('35 and 110 as measured along thegraduations 57 provided therefor on the track 55 is equal to the Thetelescope l0 is now sighted upon the target 235 and the rotation of thetelescope about its vertical axis is transmitted by the transmitter 85to the repeater 80 and by the repeater 80 to the vertical shaft 75. Thisrotation of the shaft 75 acts through the differential 74, 72, 73,.whichconstantly subtracts the angle 238 from the angle 250 (see Fig. 3) whichis given by the telescope 40 and causes the shaft 65 to rotate the arm66 into such a position that the longitudinal axis of'this arm 66 willmake an angle 251 with the line joining the axes of oscillation of thetwo arms 66 and 110 which will be equal to the angle 250 minus thehereinbefore described angle 238, in which the angle 250 is the exteriorangle between the longitudinal axis 239 of the torpedo boat 9 and a line252 drawn through the telescope 40 and the target 235. This rotation ofthe arm, (36 acts through the carrier 155 and Sleeve 150 to rotate theupper arm 110 into such a position that the angle 255 between the arm110 and the line connecting the axes of oscillation of the two arms 66and 110 will be equal to an angle 253 (see Fig. 3) plus the hereinbeforedescribed angle 238 in which the angle 253 is the angle between thelongitudinal axis of the torpedo boat 9 and a line a drawn'through thetelescope and a point 256 in the line of direction 237 of movement ofthe target 235, and at which point 256 the torpedo 15 should hit thetarget when the torpedo is predirected and launched to proceed along theline 25 1. This angle 253 plus 238 of the arm 110 will be transmittedthrough the differential comprising the beveled gears 118, 117 and 119in such a manner as to constantly subtract the angle 238 and to cause toshaft 120 to be rotated through an angle equal to the angle and thisangle 253 will be transmitted through the transmitter 1&2, four-wirecable 14: 1 and repeater 1 13 to the gear 14-9, which controls thesteering mechanism 10 of the torpedo 15 and which will predirect thetorpedo in such a manner that when'it is discharged it will seek andproceed upon a course along the line 25 1- and will meet the target 235at the point 256.

Although only" a single form has been shown in which this invention maybe embodied, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited inits application to any specific construction but might be embodied invarious forms without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the appended claims. I 1

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim: r

1. A predirecting system comprising a primary element arranged to swingabout a normally fixed axis, a secondary elementarranged to swing withrespect to said primary element about a normally fixed axis spaced fromsaid first mentioned axis, means operatively connecting said elements tocause said secondary element to be moved as a result of the movement ofsaid primary element, a sighting unit arranged to control said primaryelement, and means controlled by said secondary element for predirecting3. A predirecting system comprising. a

primary element arranged to-swing about a normally fixed axls, asecondary element arranged to swmg with respect to sald primary elementabout a'normally fixed axis parallel to said first-mentioned axis,means, operatively connecting T said elements to cause said secondaryelement to be moved asa result of the movementof said primary element, asighting unit arranged to control said primary element, andmeans'controlled by said secondary element for predirecting' a movablebody. y

4. A predirecting system comprising "a primary element rotatable about anormally fixed axis, a secondary element rotatable with respect to saidprimary'element about a normally fixed axis spaced from said firstmentioned axis, means operatively connecting said elements to cause saidsecondary element to be rotated about its said axis as a result of therotation of said. primary element about its said axis, said means beingadjustable to permit each of said elements to elements and into aninitial position of adjustment, a sighting unit arranged to control saidprimary element, and means controlled by said secondary element forpredi recting a movable body.

5. A predirecting system comprising a primary element rotatable about anormally fixed axis, a secondary element rotatable with be rotatedindependently of the other of said i respect to said primary elementabout a nor 7 55 and compr mally fixed axis parallel to said first-mentioned axis, means operatively connecting said elements to cause saldsecondary element to be'rotated about its said axis as a resultoftherota-tion of said primary element about :its said aXis,; said meansbeing adjustableto permit each of said elements to be rotatedindependently of the other of said elements and into an initial position01 adjustment, a sighting unit arranged to control said .Pll-

:mary element, and means controlled by said secondary element forpredirccting a mov- A able body. a

6. The combination with a movable carrier of a predirectin gsystemcarried thereby'and '-COI11pI1S111g a primary element arranged to swingabout a normally fixed-axis a sec-' -onda ry element arranged to swingwith re spect to said primary eleinentabout a fixed axis spaced fromsaid first mentioned axis,

means operatively connecting said elements *to cause said secondaryelement to be moved as a result of the movement of said primary element,a sighting unit arrangedto control said primary element, meanscontrolled} by said secondary element forypredirecting a dirigible bodyWhile said body is mounted upon and movable with: respect to: said car--rier,- and stabilizing means automatically acting to modify themovement of said primary element and to vary the predirecting eflieet:of said secondary element.

7. The'combination with a movable carrier of a predirecting systemcarried therebyand comprising primaryelement arranged to swing about anormally fixed axis, a secondaryielement arranged to swing with respectto said primary element about a fixe d axis spaced from said firstmentioned axis, means 0 *operatively connecting said elements to causesaid secondary element to be moved as a resultof themovement of saidprimary element, a sighting unit arranged to control said primaryelement, means controlled by saidsecondary element for predirectin adirigible body while said body is mounted upon and movable with respecttosaid'carrier,ia'nd stabilizing means including-a gyroscopeautomatically acting to modify the 0 movement of said" primary elementand to 0 connecting said elements to cause said scc ondar-y element tolac-moved as a result of the movement of said primary element said meansfbeing adjustable to permit each of said elements to be given'a variableinitial adjustment independently of the other of said elements asighting unit, stabilizing means arranged to cooperate withsaid s1ghting unit for controlling the movement of said primary element, and'means o1ntly controlled by said secondary elementand said st'zbilizingmeans forpredirecting a movable 'body.

9. The combination with a movable carrier of a predirecting systemcarried thereby andcomprising a primary element arranged to swing abouta hxed axis a secondaryelcmcnt arranged to swing with respectto saidprimary element about an axis spaced from said first mentioned axismeans operatively connecting said elements to'cause sard'se'condaryelement to be moved as'a result of the movement of said primary element,said means being ad ustable to permlt each of said elements to begiven-a variable initial adjustment independently of the other of saidelements, a sighting 'unit, stabilizing means including a gyroscopearranged to cooperatewith said sighting unit for controlling themovementot said primary element,

and means jointlycontrolledby said secondary element and saidstabilizingmeans for vpredirecting a movable body.

=10. The combination with a movable carrier,ot a predirecting systemcarried thereby and comprising a primary elementya secondary elementmovable with respecttosaid primary element, means operat-ivelyi'conneting" said elements to cause i said secondary "element'to bemoved as a result of themovement' of said primary element, saicbmeansbeingadjustable to permit each of said eleients to be movedindependentlyof the other of said] elements, a "sighting; unit, 1 andstabilizing means including a gyroscope arranged to cooperatei'vithsaidsighting unit to control the'movement of said primary element, andmeans jointly controlled by said 7 secondary element and saidstabilizing means for predirecting' a THOftlblGb'OflY.

-11. Thecombination with a movable carrier of a predirectingsystcmcarrier thereby and comprising a primary element arranged toswingabolit anormallydinedaxis a "seconcla-ry'e lement arranged toswing'with respectto said primary element'about a norm'ally fineda'xisparallel to saidfirst rneln tioned axis, said elements being adjustableto vary the distance between said axes,

means operatively connecting said elements to cause saidsccondaryelementto be rotated about'its saidaxisasa result of the rotation ofsaidiprimary element about its said axis, asighting'unit, stabilizing"means arranged toricooperate with saidsiighting unit to determine-theposition of sai l"primary element, and predirectingmeans for a movable"body fij ointly controlled by said secondary element and saidstabilizing dev1ce. w j

12. The combmation wlth a movable can rier, of a predirecting systemcarried there by and comprising a prinuufy element ar- 'anged to swingabout a normally fixed axis,

a secondary element arranged to swing with to vary the distance betweensaid axes,

means operatively connecting said elements to cause said secondaryelement to be rotated about its said axis as a result of the rotation ofsaid primary element about its'said' axis, said means being adjustableto permit each of said elements to be rotatably adjusted about its saidaxis independently of the other of said elements, a sightingunit,'stabilizing means ar anged to cooperate with said sighting unit todetermine the position of saidprimary element. and predirceting meansfor a movable body jointly controlled by said secondary element and saidstabilizingmeans.

13. The combination with a movablecarrier, of a predirecting systemcarried thereby comprising a primary element arranged. to swing about anormallyfixed axis, a secondary element arranged to swing with respectto said primaryelement about a normally fixed axis parallel to saidfirst-mentioned axis, said elements being adjustable to vary thedistance between said axes, means operatively connecting said elementsto cause said secondary element to be rotated about its said axis as a'result of the rotation of said primary element about its said axis, asighting unit, stabilizing means including a gyroscope arranged. tocooperate with said sighting unit to determine the position of saidprimary element, and predirecting means for a movable body jointlycontrolled by said stabilizing means and said secondary element.

14:. The combination with a movable carrier, of a predirecting systemcarried there by and comprising a primary element ar ranged to swingabout a normally fixed axis, a secondary element arranged. to swing withrespectto said primary element about a normally fixed axis parallel tosaid first-men tioned axis, said elements being adjustable to vary thedistance between said axes, means operatively connecting said elementsto cause said secondary element to be rotated about its said axis. as aresult or the rotation of said primary element about its said axis, saidmeans being adjustable to permit each of said elements to be rotatablyadjusted about its said axis independently of the other of saidelements, a sighting unit, stabilizing means including a gyroscopearranged to cooperate with said sighting unit to determine the positionof said primary element, and predirecting means for a movable bodyjointly controlled by said. stabilizing means and said secondarytransmission device.

15. A predirecting system for a movable body, comprising a'prin'iary armrotatable about a normally fixed axis, a secondary arm rotatable withrespect to said primary aim about a. normally fixed. axis parallel tosaid first-mentioned axis, means normally fixedly secured to saidsecondary arm and engaging said primary arm and normally" freely'movable longitudinally thereof to cause said secondary arm to be movedas a result of the movement of said primaryarm, a sightingunit arrangedto control said primary arm, and means controlled by said secondary armfor predirecting said movable body. i

16. A predireeting system for a movable bed com )llSlllP a jrimar armrotatable about a normally fixed axis, a'secondary arm rotatable withrespect-to said primary arm about a normally fixed axis parallel to saidfirst-mentioned axis, means normally fixedly secured to said secondaryarm and engaging said primary arm and normally freely movablelon'gitudinally' thereof to cause said secondary arm to be moved as aresult of the movement of said primary armfsaid means being adjustablelongitudinally of said secondary arm to compensate for variations in thespeed of said movable body, a sighting unit arranged to control saidprimary arm, and means controlled by said secondary arm for predireetingsaid movable body.

17. A predirecting system for a movable body, comprising a primary armrotatable I about a normally fixed axis, a secondary arm rotatable withrespect to said primary arm about a normally fixed axis parallel to saidfirst-mentioned axis, said arms being adjustable to vary the distancebetween said axes to compensate for variations in the speed of a targetand said arms being separa'tcly adjustable rotatably to compensate forrelative variations in the initial position or and the initial directionof movement of the target, means normally fixedly secured to saidsecondary arm and engaging said primary arm and normally freely movablelongitudinally thereof to cause said secondary arm to be moved as aresult of the movement of said primary arm, a sighting unit arranged tocontrol said primary arm, and means controlled by said secondary arm forpredirecting said movable body.

18. A predirecting system for a movable body, comprising a primary armrotatable about a normally fixed axis, a secondary arm rotatable withrespect to said primary arm about a normally fixed axis parallel to saidfirst-mentioned axis, said arms being adjustable to vary the distancebetween said axes to compensate for variations in the speed of a targetand said arms being separately adjustable rotatably to compensate forrelative variations in initial position of and in the initialdirectionof movement oi the target, means normally fixedly securedv tosaid secondary arm and engaging said primary arm and normally freelymovable longitudinally thereof to cause said secondary arnr to be moved'as a result of the movementof said primary arnn'said means beingadjustable longitudinally of said secondary arm to compensate forvariations in the speed of said movable body, a sighting unit arrangedtojcontrol said primary arm, and means controlled by said secondary armfor predirecting said movable body.

19. The combination with a movable body, of means carried thereby forpropelling said body at a given rate, automatic steering means carriedby said body, and means for adjusting said steeringmeans, includingtwoelements rotated one by the other and arranged to swing respectivelyabout two vpredetermined parallel axes, and asighting element arrangedto control one of said elementsso as to predirect said body "in such amanner as to cause said body when launched at a given moment to seek andproceed upon a predetermined course which will cause said body to strikeWhile on said course a target located at said moment in a given positionand moving and continuing to move from said position in a known andfixed direction at a known and fixed rate.

20. The combination with a movable body of means carried thereby forpropelling said body at a given rate, automatic steering means carriedby said body, a sighting device, and means arranged to be controlled bysaid sighting devlce, and lncludmg two elements arranged to swing abouttwo parallel axes respectively for predirecti'ng said steering mechanismin such a manner as to a;

ca ted at said moment in a given position and moving and continuing tomove from said position in a known and liked direction at a known andfixed 'rate. Signed at New York, in' the county of New York and sensorNew York thisl6th day of February, A. D. 1918. v

ALBERT 1).. TR ENO'R."

